Pro: Offensive Potential
There’s no question whatsoever that Hassan Whiteside is one of the best defensive players in the NBA. The appropriate response to those who question such a belief is that Whiteside led the league in blocks and was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2015-16.
Not enough attention has gone to just how brilliant a player Whiteside could become on the other end of the floor.
Whiteside finished the 2015-16 season with an average of 14.2 points on 60.6 percent shooting from the field in 29.1 minutes of action. He ranked No. 3 in the NBA in field goal percentage, No. 4 in offensive rebounding, and No. 9 amongst centers in scoring.
In 2015-16, which was his first full season of NBA basketball, Whiteside averaged 17.6 points per 36 minutes on better than 60 percent shooting from the field.
Physically, Whiteside has the size, length, and strength to overpower opponents on the low block. He’s also a better finesse player than he’s given credit for, as evidenced by his 49 midrange jump shots made on 41.2 percent shooting.
If Kristaps Porzingis and Whiteside were to balance the finesse and power aspects of their respective skill sets, the New York Knicks would have the foundation for the Triangle Offense.
Next: Con